Commissioner Chester has proposed changes to the Student Impact Rating (of which DDMs are a component) regulations which will significantly increase the weight of student assessment results in the evaluation process. In the current regulations, low student impact (as measured by State Assessments and DDMs) could only change the length of a self directed growth plan. In the proposed regulations, results on assessments could be used to rate an educator overall "Needs Improvement" or … [Read more...]
Death Knell for DDMS? NOT
The Commissioner of DESE issued a memo about his recommendation to the Board of Education to eliminate the Rating of Impact On Student Learning, which is the component of the evaluation system that included DDMs. At first glance, this might seem like a win; however, he goes on to indicate that his recommendation will include the use of test scores in the summative rating (your overall rating of Exemplary, Proficient, Needs Improvement or Unsatisfactory.) The effective use of assessments, … [Read more...]